In America, health insurance is a commodity

As a purchaser of health insurance, we do have some rights, but unless we have a law degree, it is unlikely that we will know or understand ALL our rights.

Medicare: In general, the federal government has responsibility to provide health insurance for those of us who are elderly and/or disabled.

TennCare Medicaid: If someone is poor and a child, or caregiver (single parent or grandparent), elderly or disabled person, this person may be eligible for TennCare Medicaid.

TennCare Standard: If a single adult with a medical condition is poor and does not have access to insurance through his/her employer, he/she may be eligible for TennCare Standard.

Private Insurance:

Most Americans get their health insurance through their employer. Large companies are most likely self insured and are not regulated by the States. Smaller companies are regulated by each of the States. However, when people lose their health insurance, people do have rights.

For more information about your health insurance rights, check out the not-for-profit websites below:

Families USA: http://www.familiesusa.org/issues/private-insurance/

Georgetown University Health Policy Institute Health Insurance Consumer Guides: http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net

For-profit websites:

http://www.nahu.org/consumer/healthcare

http://www.ehealthinsurance.com